At Centennial Celebration, David & Margaret Don’t Act Their Age

Micky Rehm of Micky's Jewelry Studio and Snoopy share a moment.

David & Margaret Youth and Family Services may be 100-years-old, but it sure didn’t act its age on Saturday, June 19,2010 when it celebrated a backyard barbecue, to which the entire community was invited.

As part of the hoopla, 26 businesses from La Verne to Baldwin Park hosted games booths for kids to play at no cost. Aflac, Team Referral Network, Palace Pet Salon, Micky’s Jewelry Studio, Journey Financial & Insurance Services, Sander’s Towing, and State Farm Insurance were just a few of the leading businesses that participated.

Meanwhile, a variety of food vendors, such as Claro’s Italian Market, Jamba Juice, Sinfully Sweet Apple Co., Snack & Tyme, and Picante Mexican, provided a broad array of culinary options to please the kids and their parents and grandparents, too. 
 
“The Backyard BBQ was a event for the community by the community,” said Theresa Macalino, publicity coordinator for David & Margaret. “It was a great event for everyone to get to know some businesses that truly support the community.”

Blaze from the Ontario Reign dazzled in the "Battle of the Mascots."

 
Wherever you looked, there were lots of activities to keep everyone entertained. Linda Elderkin, Mayor of Claremont, officiated a mascot contest between Snoopy from Knott’s Berry Farm and Blaze from the Ontario Reign. In another area on the sprawling grounds, a crowd gathered to watch people eager to send David & Margaret Executive Director Charles Rich, La Verne Lutheran Coach Eric Cooper, La Verne Chamber CEO Brian McNerney and others into a chilly dunk tank.

Everybody went home with something. New York Life put together free dentification cards, and perhaps, in the tastiest suprise of the day, San Dimas Costco handed out free cake to all participates at the barbecue to help celebrate David & Margaret’s 100th Anniversary.
  
David & Margaret Youth & Family Services has been serving Southern California’s children, youth and families in need since 1910.  Current services available include a residential program for adolescent girls, a foster family agency and adoption assistance, educational and mental health services, independent living and transitional housing programs for emancipating foster youth, a self-injury program, family preservation support, school-based counseling, a mentoring program for youth in foster care, treatment for learning disabilities, and other community-based education programs for at-risk youth and families. 

Chamber CEO prepares for a dunking.